site.btaToday's Observances: October 26

Bulgaria:

- The Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of St Demetrios the Myrrh-Streamer.

- Professional holiday of Bulgarian builders.

The world:

- Austrian National Day: commemorates the State Treaty which restored national sovereignty in 1955.

On this date in Bulgarian history:

1890: First Bulgarian village cooperative set up in Mirkovo village, Sofia Municipality.

1954: State Academy of Music, established by royal decree in 1921, becomes independent higher education institution, named Bulgarian State Conservatory.

1957: Polish Reading Room in Sofia (established July 22, 1949) is renamed Polish Cultural and Information Centre. Called Polish Institute since 1994.

1989: Rally of EcoGlasnost activists is dispersed by militia in downtown Sofia. The rally, which collected signatures to halt two hydro-power projects, is one of the events leading to the start of the November 10, 1989 downfall of the socialist system in Bulgaria and the beginning of democratic changes.